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Candidates run for district judge

Several district judge seats will be on the May primary ballot.

Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
02/22/2013 06:20:47 PM EST

York, PA -

The following have issued news releases saying they are running for district judge in the May primary:

District 19-1-05

Joel Toluba)

Attorney Joel Toluba said he is running for District Court 19-1-05, which covers three wards in York's west side, and was vacated by the retirement of District Judge Barbara Nixon, according to a news release.

Toluba has practiced law for more than 10 years and is serving in his fifth year as an assistant public defender with the York County Office of the Public Defender.

Toluba handles the majority of preliminary hearings for the county public defender, which involves traveling to the various district courts throughout York County and dealing with anywhere from 20 to 40 cases per week, according to the release.

"I've had the pleasure of serving the citizens of York County as a public defender since 2008, and it would be my honor and privilege to continue to serve them. . . ," Toluba said. "I would strive to work with York City Police and community leaders to institute preventive measures to decrease crime and drug abuse and to ensure that at-risk offenders are not permitted to roam our streets unsupervised."

Toluba plans to cross-file on both party ballots for the spring primary. As a licensed attorney with the Pennsylvania bar, he would be able to be sworn in immediately if elected, the release states.

District 19-3-11

Bruce Bartz

Retired police officer and current investigator for the York County Public Defender's Office Bruce Bartz said he will run for the vacant judicial seat in District 19-3-11.

The district, which covers East Manchester and Hellam townships and the boroughs of Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wrightsville and Hallam, is a new district created in 2011 to help balance the caseloads for magistrates throughout the county.

Bartz, 53, who lives in Hallam, spent more than 20 years in law enforcement with the Windsor Township and Hellam Township police departments, retiring in 2009.

He also is a constable in Hellam Township. Originally from Ohio, Bartz attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1984.

Bartz said his goal as district justice is to "work closely with the communities for their needs."

"I intend to keep the streets safe and if that means incarcerating people, it means incarcerating people," Bartz said.

He also said he believes in "restorative justice" -- community service and similar dispositions -- when it comes to juvenile lawbreakers.

"I believe they should be held accountable to their communities," he said.

Howard Daniels

After 34 years as a police officer, Northeastern Regional Police Lt. Howard Daniels wants to continue serving the public as judge of District Court 19-3-11.

The court, which covers East Manchester and Hellam townships and the boroughs of Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wrightsville and Hallam, is a new district created in 2011 to help balance the caseloads for magistrates throughout the county. The seat currently is vacant.

Daniels, 56, said he quit college after three years in 1979 to join the Mount Wolf Borough Police Department, which later merged with other departments into Northeastern Regional Police. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy the same year.

He said he also has management training from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Command Institute.

A lieutenant for the past 16 years, Daniels said his police experience and training give him the background to serve as district justice.

Daniels and his wife, Joyce, live in East Manchester Township.

Former Northern York County Regional Police officer and current special agent for the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office

Rob Eckenrode

Robert Eckenrode is seeking the vacant judicial seat for District Court 19-3-11.

That district, which covers East Manchester and Hellam townships and the boroughs of Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wrightsville and Hallam, is a new district created in 2011 to help balance the caseloads for magistrates throughout the county.

"My wide range of experience with everything from traffic law and civil disputes to criminal homicide investigations and major white collar crimes has provided me with the knowledge and background to best continue my service as the next magisterial district judge for District 19-3-11," Eckenrode, 44, of Mount Wolf, said in his announcement.

Eckenrode has spent 22 years in law enforcement, first as a police officer, a detective, a member of the York County Drug Task Force and hostage negotiator before spending the last 10 years as a special agent, fighting fraud, crimes against the elderly, drug offenses and corrupt organizations.

He currently is on leave from the attorney general's office while seeking the district magistrate seat.

Drew Heistand

Hellam Township Police Sgt. Drew Heistand has announced his bid for the District 19-3-11 bench.

Heistand has worked for the Hellam Township department for 10 years and has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Elizabethtown College. He is working on a master's degree in business administration.

In his announcement, Heistand said he has spoken about policing and safety at churches, schools and other venues. He also is a liaison for the York County Youth Aid Panel.

"I believe there is more to being a police officer than just throwing handcuffs on someone," he said. "It is about making our community a better place to live."

Heistand said he would use his common sense while being fair and respectful as a judge.

He said, while some lawbreakers deserve prison time, he also supports alternative programs to incarceration that can rehabilitate offenders, especially young ones, and return them to society.

"These types of programs keep our children out of the court system and save taxpayer money," he said.

District 19-2-04

Jeff Oberdorf

A 20-year veteran with the West Manchester Township Police Department, Jeffrey L. Oberdorf is seeking the bench of District Court 19-2-04, which covers Manchester Township.

In his news release, Oberdorf said he has consistently been one of the leaders in his department in criminal arrests.

He has served on the York County Drug Task Force and has received numerous awards and commendations for his work within the department. In addition to receiving the Life Saving Award, Oberdorf has held leadership roles, such as field training officer, lead firearms instructor and York County SWAT team member.

Oberdorf served as president of the West Manchester Township Police Officers' Association for more than 10 years and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 73 where he serves on the Range Committee.

Oberdorf is a graduate of the 54th Class from the HACC Municipal Police Academy.

He said he decided to run for district justice so he can continue his dedication to public service and to apply the law in a just and honest manner.

Angela Dobrinoff-Blake

Attorney Angela Dobrinoff-Blake has announced her candidacy for District Court 19-2-04, which covers Manchester Township and that was vacated by the retirement of Judge Alan Naylor.

Blake has practiced law for 20 years and has served 15 years as a court-appointed mediator in custody disputes.

"It would be my privilege to serve the citizens of York County, where I would diligently work to strengthen the sanctions imposed in underage drinking, DUI and drug cases," Blake said.

Blake said she would strive to implement and use supervised bail conditions for repeat offenders.

After serving the residents of Manchester Township for 35 years as a police officer, Donald F. Dull Jr. has announced he will seek the vacant judicial seat for District Court 19-02-04, which serves Manchester Township.

A retired Northern York County Regional Police officer, Dull was raised in the township, graduating from Central York High School and receiving his bachelor of science degree from York College.

Dull also volunteered as an EMT and firefighter for more than 15 years with the Alert Fire Company of Manchester Township and was president of the company for three years.

Dull is a member of the Otterbein U.M. Church, serving as treasurer. A life member of the York County FOP Lodge No. 73, Dull is also an active member of the White Rose Masonic Lodge No. 706; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and York County Shrine Club.

Dull promises to be a full-time district justice that will hold offenders accountable for their crimes and continue to make Manchester Township a safe place to live for its residents.

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